It took every ounce of strength for Naomi to stay where she was and not run away from the pain that threatened to overwhelm her. Over the past couple of days of preparing for the funeral, she’d been able to stave away the grief of losing her father.
The sight of Welita crying into her black lace handkerchief tore at her heart, and she wondered what kind of god would do this them. Out of all the people in the world, why him? Why now? It wasn’t fair. Her father was finally turning his life around, rebuilding his life, only to lose it in an instant.
She placed a rose on his coffin and wondered what she was going to do with him gone. It was then that she saw, from the corner of her eye, a svelte woman stepping out of a black Mercedes. Her eyes narrowed when she recognized who it was. Who in the hell does she think she is, coming here?
She cursed under her breath when a couple of men with cameras followed close behind the senator.
Chuy nudged her arm. “What’s wrong?”
“Over there.” She tilted her head in the direction of the intruders. “The gall of that woman. She brought her own personal camera crew.”
“We’re done here. I’ll tell Lalo to get the car. Welita doesn’t need to go through this.” Chuy hurried to Welita, who was busy talking to the priest.
“Hurry.” Naomi watched the senator as she walked toward them, her heeled shoes crunching on the pebbles that lined the path. A hulking giant of a man trailed behind her. With his black cowboy hat and crocodile boots, he looked like the typical Texan, but the fierce look in his eyes screamed danger. She shivered.
“What’s wrong, Mijita?” Welita stepped up next to her. “Chuy says you want to leave.”
“It’s getting hot, and the heat isn’t good for your heart condition,” Naomi said. “We need to get you home.”
Welita looked bewildered. “My heart is—”
“Mrs. Duran,” Jane called out.
“Shit,” Naomi muttered under her breath.
Welita turned and recognition crossed her face. “Senator Sutherland.”
Naomi stepped in front of Welita. “Senator, we have nothing to say to you.” She took Welita’s arm and pointed her to the direction of their car.
“No, please,” Jane said as she stepped forward. “Please, don’t take offense. I’m here to offer my condolences.”
Naomi whipped around. “You’re not here for us.” She threw a glance at the news cameras. “You’re here for your own benefit, you bi—”
“No seas grocera, Naomi!” Welita reprimanded. “Mind your tongue.”
“I’m sorry, Welita. This woman doesn’t deserve any kindness. She comes waltzing here with her fancy Mercedes like she owns the place, thinking that she can say ‘I’m sorry’ and we’ll fall all over ourselves and forgive her.”
“That’s not my intention at all. Look”—Jane took a deep breath—“let’s calm down before things get out of hand.”
“Calm down? Calm down?” Naomi let go of Welita and took an ominous step toward Jane, her hands curling into fists. “Lady, you have no idea what I’m capable of.”
“Chuy, stop her,” Welita said, her eyes widening as she watched Sal reach into the inside of his suit.
Jane touched Sal’s arm and shook her head. He hesitated and stepped back, his hand still inside his jacket.
“Come on, Naomi.” Chuy grabbed her arm. “You’re making Welita upset.”
“Me? I’m making her upset? She”—Naomi pointed to Jane—“she’s the one that started it by showing her face around here.” Naomi struggled to get out of Chuy’s tight grasp, her voice turning into a fevered pitch. “She wants to be in the news. I’ll put her in the news. I’ll make her video go viral.”
“Naomi … stop.” Welita began to wheeze.
“Let’s calm down,” Jane said. “I’m sure—”
“Shut the fuck up!” Naomi growled then glanced at Welita. “Look what you’re doing to my grandmother.” She then turned to the TV crew. “Are you getting this? Is harassing an old woman enough to get your ratings up or do you need some blood?”
“Knock it off. Now!” Chuy shook Naomi and then gripped her face. “Look at me. Get a hold of yourself. What would your father say if he saw you acting like this?”
Naomi looked at Chuy and blinked. In his brown eyes, she saw her father. Awareness filled her, and she heard Welita sobbing behind her, her soft voice begging her to go with them back to the house. She wanted to stay angry. Rage was the only thing that was holding back the dark sorrow that threatened to overtake her. She looked down at Welita and then back at Chuy. Pain came in full force as she realized how she was hurting the only family she had left. She had to let go—for now.
Tears pricked her eyes, and she swallowed hard as the fire within her grew cold. The last thing she wanted to do was to give the world a view of her bawling.